Unraveling 19: Lightning Milchamah: The Six Day War
Jun 21, 2021
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Explore the unpredictability of war, the formation of Israel, the rise of Arab leaders, the complex dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the consequences of bad intelligence, the motivations and actions of Israeli and Arab forces during the Six Day War, and a discussion on extremism and podcast promotions.
The Six-Day War resulted in rapid victory for Israel but plunged the country into a swamp of demographic, security, and diplomatic problems.
Arab leaders have often used the Palestinian cause to enhance their own standing but have been reluctant to take significant risks on behalf of the Palestinians, leading Palestinian groups to adopt armed strategies.
The Suez Crisis of 1956 strained relations between Western powers and Arab states, shaping the political landscape and influencing Arab perceptions leading up to the 1967 war.
The Israeli military's effective use of blitzkrieg tactics and decentralized command played a crucial role in their overwhelming victory in the Six-Day War.
Deep dives
The complexity of the Arab-Israeli conflict
The podcast discusses the complex nature of the Arab-Israeli conflict, highlighting the numerous variables and unpredictable outcomes in war. It emphasizes that war in the region often results in unintended consequences, such as increased casualties and collateral damage. The speaker suggests that studying past wars is crucial to avoid repeating mistakes. The podcast mentions the historical background of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including the founding of the state of Israel and the displacement of Palestinians. It also explores the formation of resistance groups like FATAH and the rise of Arab nationalism led by figures like Gamal Abdel Nasser. The summary touches upon the Israeli strategy of conducting punitive attacks and the resulting tensions between Arab nations. It also highlights the emergence of Yasser Arafat and the establishment of the PLO. The summary provides a nuanced understanding of the political and military dynamics in the region and the challenges faced by both Israelis and Palestinians.
The uneasy relationship between Arab states and Palestinians
The podcast delves into the complex relationship between Arab states and the Palestinians. It notes that while Arab leaders have often used the Palestinian cause to enhance their own standing, they have been reluctant to take significant risks on behalf of the Palestinians. The speaker explains how Palestinian resistance groups like Fatah started to adopt their own armed strategies, believing that Arab states would not provide sufficient support in times of conflict. The podcast highlights the tensions between Jordan and Palestinian groups, with the Jordanians feeling threatened by the large Palestinian population within their borders. It recounts the Samu incident in 1966, in which Palestinian militants planted a landmine that killed Israeli soldiers, leading to reprisal attacks by the Israelis on Palestinian villages in the West Bank. The summary provides insights into the complex alliances and rivalries within the Arab world and their impact on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The fragile peace following the Suez Crisis
The podcast briefly mentions the Suez Crisis of 1956, in which Egypt nationalized the Suez Canal, leading to military intervention by Britain, France, and Israel. It underscores how the crisis strained relations between the Western powers and Arab states, particularly Egypt, which began seeking support from the Soviet Union. The summary emphasizes that the crisis created an environment of heightened tensions and mistrust in the region. It also highlights the subsequent withdrawal of British and French forces due to pressure from the United States, underscoring the influence of Eisenhower's leadership and his commitment to maintaining stability in the Middle East. The summary conveys how the Suez Crisis and its aftermath shaped the political landscape and influenced Arab perceptions in the years leading up to the 1967 war.
The rise of Palestinian resistance and Israeli tactics
The podcast explores the growth of Palestinian resistance and the Israeli response in the period leading up to the 1967 war. It mentions the establishment of FATAH in 1959 under Yasser Arafat's leadership, with a focus on building indigenous armed resistance. It notes the increasing scale and intensity of attacks carried out by Palestinian groups, which were supported by state sponsors. The summary highlights the tensions between Israel and Palestinians residing in Jordan, with reprisal attacks leading to further violence. It also delves into the Israeli strategy of conducting punitive attacks and suppressing Palestinian militias. The summary sheds light on the dynamics of conflict and the evolving tactics employed by both sides in the lead-up to the 1967 war.
The Six-Day War: A Decisive Military Victory
The podcast episode explores the events of the Six-Day War, highlighting the incredible tactical victory achieved by the Israelis. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the Israelis managed to defeat the Arab forces, tripling their territory and annihilating the enemy's air force and armored forces. The Israeli military's effective use of blitzkrieg tactics and decentralized command played a crucial role in their success. The war resulted in the occupation of the Golan Heights, the entire West Bank, and the old city of Jerusalem. This victory transformed the Arab world and led to a rise in militant Islamism as a form of resistance against Israel and Western influence.
A Controversial Attack: The USS Liberty Incident
The podcast briefly mentions the USS Liberty incident, where Israeli aircraft attacked a US surveillance ship, resulting in the death of 34 American sailors and injuring 171. The attack, lasting for about two hours, involved sustained attacks from different weapons systems, raising questions about whether it was a blue-on-blue mistake as claimed by the Israelis or a deliberate act. The incident remains contentious, with survivors of the USS Liberty advocating for the truth to be acknowledged and justice to be served.
The Ramifications and Lessons Learned
The podcast points out the implications and lessons learned from the Six-Day War. The overwhelming victory secured by Israel led to a militarization of their political structure, with the military becoming a dominant political power. However, the failure to engage in peace negotiations during their position of strength resulted in occupying territories inhabited by millions of Palestinians, presenting a longstanding conflict. The war also had long-lasting effects on the Arab world, with a shift towards accepting militant Islamism as a form of resistance against Israel and Western influence.
In June 1967, Israeli aircraft, armor, and soldiers launched a massive surprise attack against the Egyptian forces of General Gamal Abdul Nasser, and changed the face of the entire Middle East. When the firing died down, the 19-year-old State of Israel had tripled in size, and brought millions of Palestinian refugees under its military control. Although the result was a rapid victory for Israel, and the near-total destruction of the neighboring Arab military forces, Israel had plunged itself into a swamp of demographic, security, and diplomatic problems in which the country remains mired.
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